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- A low-foam cream wash with glycerin, three ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid; no added fragrance and no acne active.
- CeraVe makes it for normal to dry skin, and it carries the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance.
- Very oily skin and heavy makeup may need a foaming wash or a first cleanse at night.
- $12.99 for 8 fl oz at Target as of November 2026 (about $1.62 per oz); the 12 oz bottle is about $1.15 per oz.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a low-foam cream wash that cleans without leaving skin tight, which makes it one of the safest buys for normal, dry, sensitive and eczema-prone faces. It has glycerin high on the list, three ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid, no added fragrance, and the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance. Skip it as your only cleanser if your skin is very oily or you wear heavy, long-wear makeup, because a cream this mild removes less oil.
Before you buy, you can scan the bottle's barcode or label with the ingredient scanner in Pori to check its ingredients against your skin type.
Below we go through every ingredient on the label, what the evidence says about mild cleansers, who should buy it and who should skip it, sizes and price per ounce, how to use it, and four alternatives. We compared published ingredient lists, brand claims and listed prices; we did not test these products on skin.
What is CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser?
It's a face wash from CeraVe, the L'Oréal-owned drugstore brand built around ceramides. CeraVe makes it for normal to dry skin and says it removes dirt, oil and makeup while helping to maintain the skin barrier. It feels like a thin lotion and barely lathers. If you're deciding between it and its foaming sibling, our CeraVe Foaming vs Hydrating Cleanser comparison covers that choice in detail; this review stays on the Hydrating formula itself.
| Detail | What CeraVe states |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal to dry |
| Texture | Cream-lotion, little to no foam |
| Key ingredients | Ceramides NP, AP and EOP, hyaluronic acid, glycerin |
| Claims | Non-comedogenic, no added fragrance, NEA Seal of Acceptance |
| Acne active | None |
| Sizes | 3, 8, 12 and 16 fl oz, plus a refill |
| Price (November 2026) | $12.99 for 8 fl oz at Target, about $1.62 per oz |
What's in CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser? The full ingredient list explained
CeraVe lists the ingredients as water, glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, PEG-40 stearate, stearyl alcohol, potassium phosphate, ceramide NP, ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, carbomer, glyceryl stearate, behentrimonium methosulfate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium hyaluronate, cholesterol, phenoxyethanol, disodium EDTA, dipotassium phosphate, tocopherol, phytosphingosine, xanthan gum, cetyl alcohol, polysorbate 20 and ethylhexylglycerin. Here is what each group does.
- Glycerin: second on the list. A humectant that pulls water into the outer skin, so the wash leaves some moisture behind.
- Cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol: fatty alcohols. They soften and thicken the cream. They are not the drying kind of alcohol you see as "alcohol denat."
- PEG-40 stearate, glyceryl stearate, polysorbate 20 and sodium lauroyl lactylate: emulsifiers and mild cleansing agents. They help oil, sunscreen and light makeup mix with water so they rinse off. There is no strong foaming surfactant here.
- Behentrimonium methosulfate: a conditioning agent that leaves a soft feel after rinsing.
- Ceramide NP, ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, cholesterol and phytosphingosine: the lipid group CeraVe puts in nearly every product. Ceramides and cholesterol are natural parts of the skin barrier. Our ceramides guide explains them.
- Sodium hyaluronate: a salt form of hyaluronic acid, a humectant.
- Tocopherol: vitamin E, an antioxidant that also protects the oils in the formula.
- Potassium phosphate and dipotassium phosphate: buffers that hold the pH steady.
- Carbomer and xanthan gum: thickeners.
- Phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin and disodium EDTA: the preservative system and a chelator.
Nothing on the list is a fragrance, an essential oil, an exfoliating acid or an acne drug. CeraVe notes that its ingredient lists are updated regularly, so the box in your hand is the final word.
Do ceramides in a face wash actually do anything?
Partly. A cleanser sits on your face for less than a minute before you rinse it away, so the ceramides and hyaluronic acid can only do so much. The bigger benefit is what the formula leaves out. A review of cleanser science explains that harsh surfactants can damage skin proteins and lipids, leading to tightness, dryness, irritation and itch, and that the mildest cleansers interact as little as possible with both. A 2022 review of soaps and synthetic detergents reached a similar conclusion: mild synthetic cleansers are kinder to the skin barrier than traditional soap.
That is the real case for this cleanser. Its cleaning is done by emulsifiers and fatty alcohols instead of strong foaming agents, and it leaves glycerin behind. The ceramides are a nice addition, but you get most of your barrier repair from a leave-on moisturizer like CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
The NEA seal is a useful signal for sensitive skin. CeraVe's cleanser appears in the National Eczema Association's product directory, which lists products that have received its Seal of Acceptance. The seal is not a guarantee that you won't react, so new products are still worth a patch test.
Who is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for, and who should skip it?
It suits you if you:
- Have dry or dehydrated skin that feels tight after washing. See our best cleanser for dry skin picks and the guide to dry vs dehydrated skin.
- Have sensitive or eczema-prone skin and want a fragrance-free wash with the NEA seal. Our best face wash for eczema roundup compares it with others.
- Use drying treatments like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide or exfoliating acids and need a cleanser that adds no extra irritation.
- Have oily skin and want a gentle morning wash, when there's little to remove.
Look elsewhere, or pair it with something else, if you:
- Have very oily skin: the AAD suggests a gentle, foaming face wash for oily skin. A low-foam cream may leave a film on a very oily face at night.
- Wear heavy or waterproof makeup or water-resistant sunscreen: start with an oil cleanser or micellar water. Our double cleansing guide explains when that helps.
- Want an acne treatment in your wash: it has none. Look at a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleanser, such as the ones in our CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser review.
- Dislike a slightly slippery after-feel: some people expect a "squeaky clean" finish, and this cleanser is designed not to give one.
Can you use CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser on oily or acne-prone skin?
Yes. It is non-comedogenic and won't strip, and many people with oily or acne-prone skin use it in the morning or while on drying acne treatments. The trade-off is that it removes less sebum than a foaming gel. A common split is the Hydrating Cleanser in the morning and a foaming wash at night. If acne is the main concern, keep this as a gentle base and get your active ingredient from a leave-on treatment. Over-cleansing can backfire: the AAD warns that a face wash that's too harsh can irritate skin and trigger more oil.
How much does CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser cost?
CeraVe lists it at $15.99 on cerave.com without naming a size. Target's prices as of November 2026:
| Size | Price at Target (November 2026) | Price per fl oz |
|---|---|---|
| 3 fl oz | $5.99 | $2.00 |
| 8 fl oz | $12.99 | About $1.62 |
| 12 fl oz | $13.79 | About $1.15 |
| 16 fl oz, two-pack | $30.76 | About $0.96 |
The pump bottles are the better value per ounce, and a refill pouch is also sold. Because you use a small amount each time, even the 8 oz size lasts a while with twice-daily washing. Prices change often, so compare the per-ounce figure on the shelf tag.
How do you use it?
CeraVe's directions match the AAD's face-washing advice:
- Wet your face with lukewarm water. The AAD says to rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
- Rub a small amount between your palms and massage it onto your face in gentle circles with your fingertips. The AAD notes that a washcloth or sponge can irritate your skin.
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
- Follow with moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp. CeraVe suggests its Moisturizing Cream.
- Limit washing to twice a day and after sweating.
If you're reactive, try any new cleanser on a small area first; the AAD explains how to test a skin care product before using it on your whole face.
What are the best alternatives to CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser?
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser: another fragrance-free, NEA-accepted cream cleanser, with niacinamide and ceramide. See our Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser review.
- Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser: a simple, low-foam classic that can be wiped off without water. Our Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser review covers it, and CeraVe vs Cetaphil compares the brands.
- CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser: similar barrier ingredients, with a light foam that some people prefer for removing sunscreen.
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: the better match for oily skin or a night wash after a long day.
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Milky cleanser built for reactive, tight-feeling skin.
Suits: Dry, Sensitive, Normal skin
Gentle Skin Cleanser
The default gentle cleanser most dermatologists start people on.
Suits: Dry, Normal, Sensitive skin
Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
Face cleanser with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Dry, Sensitive skin
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Gel-to-foam wash that clears excess oil without stripping.
Suits: Oily, Combination, Normal skin
From Pori's catalogue. Amazon links carry our Associates tag: Pori earns from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. No brand pays to be listed. Photos: Open Beauty Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
For more options, browse our cleansers for dry skin and cleansers for sensitive skin, or read our best hydrating cleanser roundup.
Is CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser worth it?
Yes, for most people with normal, dry or sensitive skin. It does one job well: it cleans without stripping, without fragrance and without exfoliants, for under $2 an ounce in the mid-size bottles. What you buy is a mild, predictable base that gets out of the way of the rest of your routine; the ceramides are a small bonus in a product you rinse off. If your skin is very oily or you wear heavy makeup, keep it for mornings and add a stronger wash or a first cleanse at night. For the rest of the range, see our CeraVe skincare guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser good for oily skin?
It works for many oily skin types, especially in the morning or alongside drying acne treatments. It removes less oil than a foaming wash, so very oily skin may prefer a foaming cleanser at night.
Does CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser remove makeup?
CeraVe says it removes dirt, oil and makeup. It handles light makeup and daily sunscreen; for waterproof makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, use an oil cleanser or micellar water first.
Is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser fragrance-free?
CeraVe describes it as free of added fragrance, and no fragrance or essential oil appears in its ingredient list.
Is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser good for eczema?
It carries the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance and is fragrance-free, which makes it a reasonable choice. Anyone can react to an individual ingredient, so patch test first and see a dermatologist for eczema treatment.
Does CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser help acne?
It contains no acne active such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. It's a gentle base cleanser that pairs well with acne treatments used as separate steps.
Why doesn't CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser foam?
It cleans with emulsifiers and fatty alcohols instead of strong foaming surfactants, which is what keeps it mild. Lack of foam doesn't mean it isn't cleaning.
Sources
- CeraVe: Hydrating Facial Cleanser (ingredients, claims, directions, price)
- National Eczema Association: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (Seal of Acceptance listing)
- Target: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 8 fl oz (price)
- Target: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 12 fl oz (price)
- Target: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 3 fl oz (price)
- American Academy of Dermatology: Face washing 101
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to control oily skin
- Ananthapadmanabhan KP et al. Cleansing without compromise. Dermatol Ther, 2004 (PubMed)
- Mijaljica D, Spada F, Harrison IP. Skin cleansing without or with compromise: soaps and syndets. Molecules, 2022 (PMC)
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to test skin care products
Pori is a wellness and skincare education app, not a medical device. This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. For anything that worries you, see a dermatologist.
